Baby Feeding - Breast Best
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday June 28, 2006
Having a baby means making many choices and one of the most important ones is about the way a mother will feed her new baby.
Breastfeeding rates are strongly influenced by the way health services are organised and by health service policies and practices.Work has already been done by individual health professionals and service managers to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in NSW but, it is ultimately the mother's choice.According to NSW statistics initiation rates for breastfeeding are good, but only slightly more than half of all the infants were exclusively breastfed at three months and less than one third of mothers continued breastfeeding to 12 months. It is recommended babies be breastfed until they are six months old.Nearly all women can breastfeed provided they have appropriate support and accurate information from their families, communities and health services.NSW Health has drawn up a breastfeeding policy called Breastfeeding in NSW: Promotion, Protection and Support is the first comprehensive breastfeeding policy for NSW Health.The policy states that breastfeeding is the most ecologically sustainable way to feed infants and provides substantial cost savings to families, the health care system, employers and government.All parents should receive accurate information about breastfeeding and skilled support if they experience difficulties.The Australian Breastfeeding Association 24-hour helpline is 9639 8686.
© 2006 Illawarra Mercury